Jason Collins has signed a contract with the Brooklyn Nets, making him the first openly gay player in the NBA.The Nets signed Collins who came out as gay in a Sports Illustrated article last year to a 10-day ...

TV Guide

Jason Collins has signed a contract with the Brooklyn Nets, making him the first openly gay player in the NBA.

The Nets signed Collins - who came out as gay in a Sports Illustrated article last year - to a 10-day contract on Sunday. Collins, 35, has been a free agent since coming out and last played for the Washington Wizards.

Photos: Celebrities who are out and proud

The Nets confirmed the signing on Twitter, posting a picture of Collins inking his deal alongside head coach Jason Kidd with the caption: "RT to welcome @jasoncollins34 to Brooklyn! #Nets."

Collins will continue to wear 98 as his jersey number, in honor of Matthew Shepard, who was murdered in anti-gay hate crime in 1998, according to ESPN's Mike Mazzeo.

Collins is expected to suit up for Sunday's Nets game versus the Los Angeles Lakers, albeit with a No. 46 jersey because a No. 98 jersey will not be ready in time, Mazzeo notes.

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